Boost for Gaelic broadcasting

Gaelic language broadcasting is to receive an additional £1.8 million to help build on the success of BBC Alba’s crime thriller An t-Eilean.

The increase is contained in the Scottish Government’s 2025/26 Budget and raises total funding for MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media Service) to £14.8 million in the upcoming financial year.

Independent research has found that Gaelic media generates £1.34 for every £1 invested and supports 340 jobs across Scotland, including 160 jobs in the islands.

Deputy First Minister and Gaelic Secretary Kate Forbes announced the new funding on a World Gaelic Week visit to BBC studios in Glasgow, where she met Meredith Brook, who plays the character Sìne Maclean in An t-Eilean (The Island).

The drama has attracted a record number of viewers since the first episode aired on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer on 14 January and has already been sold to broadcasters in other European countries.  

Ms Forbes said:

“An t-Eilean’s success demonstrates how supporting a thriving Gaelic broadcasting sector can bring international interest to Scotland.

“The programme marks a new era of Gaelic TV which could draw tourists into Scotland to support jobs and economic opportunities in the country’s island communities.  

“This extra funding will enable Gaelic broadcasters to build on existing high-quality content and attract new audiences. To grow Gaelic, we are taking forward the Scottish Languages Bill to strengthen provision of Gaelic education and investing a total of £35.7 million in initiatives to promote the language in 2025-26.”

Meredith Brook said:

“The making of An t-Eilean has set an exciting precedent for the future of Gaelic drama on BBC ALBA, telling engaging stories in the Gaelic language with a universal reach.

“As one of the Gaelic actors in this series, I'm proud to have played such a pivotal role in sharing the language I'm so proud of with the world." 

Additional information

Pictures from Ms Forbes’ visit to BBC studios are available online.

Research from Ernst and Young on the economic impact of MG ALBA (the Gaelic Media Service) is available online.

Togail airson craoladh na Gàidhlig

Gheibh craoladh na Gàidhlig £1.8 millean a bharrachd gus cuideachadh le bhith a’ togail air soirbheachadh dràma eucoir BBC Alba, An t-Eilean.

Tha an t-àrdachadh seo a’ tighinn bho Bhuidseat Riaghaltas na h-Alba airson 2025/26. Togaidh e am maoineachadh uile gu lèir a gheibh MG ALBA gu £14.8 millean sa bhliadhna ionmhais a tha romhainn.

Lorg rannsachadh neo-eisimeileach gu bheil meadhanan na Gàidhlig a’ cruthachadh £1.34 airson gach £1 a gheibh iad is a’ cur taic ri 340 dreuchd air feadh Alba, le 160 dhiubh sin anns na h-eileanan.

Chaidh am maoineachadh ùr a chuir an cèill leis an Leas-Phrìomh Mhinistear agus Rùnaire na Gàidhlig Ceit Fhoirbeis is i a’ tadhal, mar phàirt de Sheachdain na Gàidhlig, air stiùideothan a’ BhBC ann an Glaschu. An sin, choinnich i ri Meredith Brook, a tha a’ cluich a’ charactair Sìne Nic’IllEathain anns An t-Eilean.

Tha an dràma air clàran a bhriseadh a thaobh luchd-amhairc bhon a chaidh a’ chiad eapasod a chraoladh air BBC ALBA agus BBC iPlayer air 14 Faoilleach. Chaidh e mu thràth a reic gu craoladairean ann an dùthchannan Eòrpach eile. 

Thuirt a’ BhCh. Fhoirbeis:

“Tha soirbheachadh An t-Eilean a’ cur am follais mar as urrainn do roinn mheadhanan Ghàidhlig bheòthail ùidh eadar-nàiseanta a thogail ann an Alba.

“Tha am prògram a’ comharrachadh linn ùr ann an TBh na Gàidhlig a b’ urrainn luchd-turais a thàladh a dh’Alba gus taic a chur ri obraichean agus cothroman eaconamach ann an coimhearsnachdan eileanach na dùthcha.

“Bheir am maoineachadh a bharrachd seo cothrom do chraoladairean na Gàidhlig togail air prògraman fìor mhath a tha mu thràth aca is luchd-amhairc ùr a ghlacadh. Gus a’ Ghàidhlig fhàs, tha sinn a’ toirt air adhart Bile nan Cànan Albannach gus foghlam Gàidhlig a neartachadh is a’ cur £35.7 millean uile gu lèir ri iomairtean a bhios a’ cur a’ chànain air adhart ann an 2025-26.”

Thuirt Meredith Brook:

 “Le bhith a’ dèanamh An t-Eilean, tha sinn air eisimpleir a thabhann a bhrosnaicheas dràmathan do BhBC ALBA san àm ri teachd, a tha ag innse sgeulachdan tarraingeach ann an Gàidhlig a tha a’ suathadh ri cùisean uile-choitcheann.

“Mar aon de chleasaichean Gàidhlig an t-sreatha seo, ’s e urram tha ann dhomh gun robh pàirt cho cudromach agam ann a bhith a’ cur cànan air a bheil mi cho pròiseil mu choinneamh na cruinne.”

Cùl-fhiosrachadh

Gheibhear dealbhan bho thuras na BCh. Fhoirbeis gu stiùideothan a’ BhBC air-loidhne.

Tha rannsachadh bho Ernst agus Young mu bhuaidh eaconamach MG ALBA ri fhaighinn air-loidhne.